This is lesson 3 from Idiom Part 2. Each idiom is followed by its definition and examples. After you learn them, you can use them in your daily conversation.
Previous English Idiom Lesson
In our previous English idiom lesson, we cover below:
English Idiom Part 2- Lesson 3
1- On Its lasting legs= Being in a such bad condition that it will soon be unable to work as it should
It looks as though her grandfather’s on his last legs.
Note: similar idiom is “It is seen better days”
2- My hands are tied= you are not free to behave in the way that you would like
I’d like to raise people’s salaries but my hands are tied.
3- Face the fact= to admit that something is true
The time has come to face the facts and admit that the government’s policies aren’t working.
4- Put a brave face= to behave as if a problem is not important or does not worry you
She seems all right but I think she’s just putting on a brave face.
5- Come to a head= reach a crisis
The violence came to a head with the deaths of six youths.
6- Hand it to sb= give credit to someone
I’ll hand it to you. You did a fine job.
7- A good head for sth= to have a natural ability to do something well
She has a good head for painting.
8- Never talk behind my back= to talk unfairly about sb without them knowing
I dread to think what they say about me behind my back.
9- Sth gets on your nerves= annoy someone
Turn down your music, it’s getting on my nerves.
10- To get someone’s back up= to annoy someone
Just ignore him – he’s only trying to get your back up.
11- Your heart is not in sth/sb= not feeling interested or enthusiastic about something
I tried to make myself feel better by playing the guitar, but my heart wasn’t in it.
12- Dip your toe in the water= to try an activity briefly to see if one likes it
I’m not sure I want to join, but I’d like to dip a toe in the water.
13- It’s a pain in the neck= A source of annoyance
Joan is a real pain in the neck, with her constant complaining.
14- Put my food in sth= to say something that causes someone to be embarrassed, upset, or hurt especially when the speaker did not expect that reaction
I put my foot in it when I asked her about her job. I didn’t know she had just been fired.
15- Get it off your chest= say something that one has wanted to say for a long time
I thought these meetings would help the kids get some of their worries off their chests.
16- Put my finger at it= to know or understand something, and be able to say exactly what it is
Something seemed to be wrong, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
17- Elbow my way to the top= elbows other people or things out of the way, to achieve success by being aggressive and determined.
Guys who elbow their way to the top will toss you aside the minute you can’t give them anything anymore.
18- Cheeky= disrespectful and offensively bold
She usually hast a cheeky manner.
19- Cocky= arrogant
The neighbors up the road are cocky.
20- Shoulder the responsibilities= to accept that you are responsible for something bad or difficult
It is women who mainly shoulder responsibility for the care of elderly and disabled relatives.
21- Pulling sb’s leg= to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke
Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?
22- Find my feet= starting to feel confident and to deal with things successfully.
I don’t know anyone in England but I am sure I will manage it when I find my feet.
23- Like a water off a duck’s back= refer to a potentially hurtful remark or situation that has no apparent effect on the person involved.
I’ve told him that he’s heading for trouble, but he doesn’t listen – it’s just water off a duck’s back.
24- Nosey= too curious
The neighbors up the road are cocky and nosey at the same time!
25- goofy= foolish
The neighbors up the road are very goofy!
Next English Idiom Lesson
In our next English idiom lesson, we cover below:
Related Idioms
Here is the list of idioms related to this lesson.
Idiom Part 1 Outline
If you wish to explore all lessons that are covered in HiCafe Idiom Part 1, you can visit the Essential and Popular English idioms- Part 1 page.
English Fluency Resources
If you like to read all of lessons related to English expressions, phrases, idioms, proverbs, slang and words, you can visit our Improve English Fluency page.
